Investment Rating - The report initiates coverage with a "Buy" rating for Haitong Development [3][9][11]. Core Views - Haitong Development is a private enterprise engaged in domestic coastal and international bulk cargo transportation, with foreign trade becoming its core business. The foreign trade revenue share is expected to increase from 29% in 2020 to 65% in 2024, contributing 93% to gross profit in 2024. The company adopts a strategy of purchasing second-hand ships for expansion, maintaining a balance between scale and stability. The company has significant operational flexibility, with a projected net profit increase of approximately 530 million yuan for every $5,000/day rise in freight rates [3][7][9]. Company Overview - Haitong Development, established in 2009, specializes in domestic coastal and international bulk cargo transportation. The company has built a fleet of large handy bulk carriers, controlling a total capacity of 4.84 million deadweight tons as of mid-2025, ranking ninth globally in large handy bulk carrier capacity [6][33]. Business Expansion - The company has expanded its foreign trade business significantly, with foreign trade revenue share projected to rise from 29.3% in 2020 to 65.0% in 2024. The foreign trade business is expected to contribute 92.7% to gross profit in 2024. The company primarily operates on a time-charter basis, which presents lower risk exposure compared to voyage chartering [7][39]. Industry Analysis - The dry bulk shipping industry is expected to see a gradual recovery, with domestic supply likely to clear out. The average age of domestic dry bulk vessels is 11 years, with a significant portion being older than 18 years. A subsidy policy for scrapping old vessels is expected to accelerate the exit of older ships from the market, tightening supply [8][59][63]. Financial Performance - The company exhibits strong financial metrics, with a return on equity (ROE) of 14.2% and a low debt-to-asset ratio of 29.4% in 2024, providing a solid foundation for future expansion [7][49]. The projected net profits for 2025, 2026, and 2027 are estimated at 300 million, 620 million, and 750 million yuan, respectively, with corresponding price-to-earnings (PE) ratios of 26.5, 12.9, and 10.7 [9][11].

Core Viewpoint - In the first half of 2025, shipping stocks experienced significant volatility due to tariffs and geopolitical conflicts, but overall showed an upward trend, with the Shenwan Shipping Index rising by 1.9% year-to-date, outperforming the CSI 300 Index by 4.1 percentage points [1][2]. Shipping Industry Overview - The shipping sector is characterized by a strong cyclical nature, with a clear positive correlation between high-frequency freight rates and stock prices. In the container shipping segment, a phase of increased shipping activity has enhanced freight rate elasticity, with the China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI) remaining at a high level [2]. - The oil shipping market benefited from increased production by oil-exporting countries and intensified U.S. sanctions, leading to a recovery trend in freight rates, although the Baltic Dirty Tanker Index (BDTI) saw a year-on-year decline due to a high base from the previous year [2]. - The dry bulk shipping market faced a weaker outlook in the first half of 2025, with high coal and iron ore inventories leading to a decline in the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) [2]. Container Shipping - Container shipping capacity continues to be delivered, with demand significantly impacted by tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Despite fluctuations in freight rates due to changing tariff policies, the overall market remains relatively strong. The demand growth for ton-miles is projected at 2.6% for 2025 and -2.9% for 2026, assuming the Red Sea remains closed in 2025 [3]. - Freight rate outlook for the second half of 2025 suggests a return to normal seasonal variations after a high-level decline, with smaller vessel types facing less delivery pressure and emerging markets showing better prospects than mainline routes [3]. Oil Shipping - The oil shipping market is heavily influenced by geopolitical conflicts, with a favorable supply-demand balance for Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) in 2025. The first half of 2025 saw freight rates fluctuate due to Middle Eastern conflicts and increased U.S. sanctions on Iran [4]. - Demand growth for oil ton-miles is expected to be 0.5% for 2025 and -1.3% for 2026, with limited growth in VLCC capacity projected at 0% for 2025 and 2.5% for 2026 [4]. Dry Bulk Shipping - The dry bulk shipping sector is expected to see a year-on-year decline in market conditions, with a focus on iron ore trade ton-miles improvement in 2026. High inventories of bulk commodities have led to a slowdown in transport volumes, with demand growth projected at -0.8% for 2025 and 0.9% for 2026 [5]. - Freight rates are anticipated to experience slight recovery in Q3 2025, but overall market conditions are expected to remain weaker than the previous year [5]. Investment Opportunities - In the second half of 2025, the focus should be on the regional container shipping market, benefiting from increased inter-regional maritime trade, with freight rates remaining relatively high. Notable companies to watch include DeXiang Shipping, HaiFeng International, and ZhongGu Logistics, which are expected to show significant growth in the first half of 2025 [6]. - There are also opportunities for left-side positioning in oil tanker stocks, which currently have relatively low valuations and significant upside potential during peak seasons or in the event of regional conflicts. Companies like COSCO Shipping Energy and China Merchants Jinling are recommended for consideration [6].